Dorothy Koch has extensive experience helping individuals find greater success in careers, relationships, life transitions and on the job. She works as a trainer and group facilitator in areas of career planning, labour market, communications, relationships, time management and life balance.

Michèle Luit has twenty six years of experience in the field of human resources. She launched her own company, Workplace Solutions, in 2005 in order to share her experience with others where results were being challenged by unresolved relationship issues. Her areas of expertise include leadership development, team effectiveness, conflict resolution, and executive coaching.

Peggy Gizen is a versatile, resourceful and dynamic motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and trainer and empowerment consultant. She specializes in personal development, staff development and team building, using a variety of renowned tools to assist her clients.

Kathleen Johnston, MA is an experienced and credentialed career coach, stress consultant, and clinical counsellor. Her expertise lies in working with those who desire success in their careers without compromising health and well-being. She genuinely believes in everyone’s potential to make a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of others.

Brian Kaliel, QC, is a partner with Miller Thomson LLLP in Edmonton and was legal council for Westlock Terminals. Brian has known experience as a speaker on local cooperatives including developmental paths and share structures. He explores how new generation coop models might be applied to investing in local food infrastructure.

Les Brost is a third generation owner/operator of a large successful family ranch in southeastern Alberta. His practical approach to problem solving grew out of his early years as a rancher in the family business and continues in his interest in rural development and renewal. He is also a speaker on conflict management.

Karen Gingras joined Agriculture and Rural Development in September 2007 as the Labour Retention Manager. As a speaker, Karen works to help her audience find and understand tools available to human resources professionals and to shift their focus from retention and recruitment to business production and development.

Page Stuart, General Manager of Highland Feeders, has spent 13 years on Highland’s management team as an instrumental part of the growth and diversification of the company’s activities. As a speaker, Page addresses working for a family-owned business and the accompanying benefits and challenges.

Greg Andrukow is the owner and CEO of an independent ag-retailer in east-central Alberta. As a speaker, Greg addresses issues in family-owned businesses.

April Shand is the vice president of People, Development and Culture for the ECL Group of Companies. As a speaker, her main areas of expertise are employee engagement and retention.

Andrew Raphael is a partner and the Director of Agri-Food for MNP, a diversified accounting and advisory firm that has been helping Canadians succeed since 1945.